New Mexico Register / Volume XXXIII, Issue 12 / June 21, 2022

STATE GAME COMMISSION MEETING AND RULE MAKING NOTICE

The New Mexico State Game Commission (“Commission”) will be hosting a meeting and rule hearings on Friday August 19, 2022 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the UNM Gallup Campus Room STC 200, 705 Gurley Ave., Gallup, NM 87301. The purpose of this meeting is to hear and consider action as appropriate on the presentation of proposed changes to the Bighorn Sheep Rule. The original hearing date of June 3, 2022 was postponed and is now rescheduled for August 19, 2022.

Synopsis:

The proposal is to amend the Bighorn Sheep Rule 19.31.17 NMAC, which will become effective April 1, 2023. The most recent version of the rule will expire on March 31, 2023.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE BIGHORN SHEEP RULE: 1) opening the Jemez population for hunting Aug. 10-24 and Sept. 1-15, likely beginning in the 2024 season; 2) splitting the Hatchet Mountains hunt area into the Little Hatchets and Big Hatchets hunt areas and shifting hunt dates to September 15-30 and October 1-15; 3) creating 2 hunt windows in the Peloncillos (Nov. 1-15 & Nov. 16-30) and Ladrones (Dec. 1-15 & Dec. 16-31); 4) creating a 3rd hunt window in the Rio Grande Gorge population, Nov. 1-15; 5) including the Double E Wildlife Management Area as open to hunters that hold a valid license for that GMU; 6) making small adjustments to season dates in some areas.

A full text of changes for all rules will be available on the Department’s website at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed changes to the Bighorn Sheep Rule at DGF-Bighorn-Rule@state.nm.us. Individuals may also submit written comments to the physical address below. Comments are due by 8:00 a.m. on August 17, 2022. The final proposed rules will be voted on by the Commission during a public meeting on August 19, 2022. Interested persons may also provide data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, at the public rule hearings to be held on August 19, 2022.

Full copies of text of the proposed new rules, technical information related to proposed rule changes, and the agenda can be obtained from the Office of the Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, or from the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/proposals-under-consideration/. This agenda is subject to change up to 72 hours prior to the meeting. Please contact the Director’s Office at (505) 476-8000, or the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for updated information.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Department at (505) 476-8000 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Department at 505-476-8000 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

Legal authority for this rulemaking can be found in the General Powers and Duties of the State Game Commission 17-1-14, et seq. NMSA 1978; Commission’s Power to establish rules and regulations 17-1-26, et seq. NMSA 1978.